The Waitrose gardening pods that are now a feature at 167 of the supermarket’s branches have been singled out as a highlight in the parent group’s end-of-year results.

Reporting 5.6% growth in overall own-brand sales in the year to January 2015, John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield said: “One of the highlights was the Horticulture and Garden range with impressive growth driven from the new outdoor pods in 167 branches.”

Both Waitrose and John Lewis increased market share last year, with customer numbers up by 6% and 4% respectively. Profit before Partnership Bonus, tax and exceptional items was down 9.0% (down 10.5% on a 52 week basis), with increased profits in John Lewis offset by a decline in Waitrose.

The business’s 93,800 ‘partners’ (as employees are called) are to receive a bonus of 11%, equivalent to nearly six weeks' pay. Thanks to the new legislation that puts employee ownership on a similar footing to other forms of ownership, no partner will pay tax on their bonus up to £3,600.